A man attempted to break into the 3Greeks Grill on Vernon Boulevard last month as part of a burglary pattern. (Google Maps)

Jan. 8, 2019 By Nathaly Pesantez

Police are searching for a man who burglarized a coffee shop and attempted to break into a Greek restaurant in Astoria all in one day last month.

3Greeks Grill, located at 35-61 Vernon Blvd., was the first to be hit in the Dec. 16 spree.

Police said the suspect attempted to break into the eatery at around 10:35 p.m. through a side window, but was unsuccessful and fled on foot.

About half an hour later, the man had made his way to Flor de Azalea Cafe, located just two blocks over at 9-02 34th Ave.

The burglar managed to break into the site through an unlocked side window at around 11:10 p.m., causing damage to the window screen along the way. He then stole an unspecified amount of money from the cash register before fleeing through the front door.

The suspect is described as black and between 18 and 30 years of age. He was last seen wearing a hooded sweatshirt, sweatpants and sneakers.

Anyone with information on the incident should contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-8477, or text CRIMES and then enter TIP577, or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.

The NYC Ferry system is set to undergo a significant expansion in coming months, with the Astoria route, connecting the western Queens neighborhood to Wall Street, getting a new stop at the Brooklyn Navy Yard this spring.

A 24-year-old Brooklyn man who crashed his car on the BQE in 2017 and left a 25-year-old Astoria woman inside his burning vehicle to die was sentenced yesterday to four to 12 years in prison, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office.